Interpore Sells Unit

Interpore International, a manufacturer of synthetic bone-graft materials, said Tuesday that it has signed an agreement to sell its sluggish dental business to Steri-Oss Inc., a Yorba Linda maker of dental implants.

Interpore previously had a tentative agreement to sell the dental unit to a German company but began discussions with Steri-Oss after the earlier deal hit a snag.

Steri-Oss was recently sold by its parent, vision care giant Bausch & Lomb, to top Steri-Oss executives and a private investment firm. The Yorba Linda company, which has annual sales of about $28 million, is one of a handful of companies that make dental implants.

Terms of the deal with Interpore were not disclosed. The sale is expected to be completed by May, Interpore said.